Mitch Freeley

Roma made it four consecutive wins in all competitions on Saturday evening with a routine 2-0 away win against Empoli on Saturday evening.

Turkish striker Cengiz Ünder set the tone for his side with a long distance strike which was palmed away by keeper Pietro Terracciano in the third minute. Ünder came close for a second time twenty minutes later as Roma ramped up the pressure on Empoli, however, his snap half volley skimmed just wide. The Romans were not to be denied, and summer signing Steven Nzonzi nodded in his first goal for Roma latching onto a set piece from Lorenzo Pellegrini. 

Into the second half and Roma continued to show their quality,  Ünder again had a chance to double the lead, but his curling effort just went wide.

Empoli fought their way back and came close to levelling the scores when Ismaël Bennacer's free-kick clipped the outside of the post. The hosts luck was in and were awarded a penalty just before the hour when Ünder handled the ball in the box. Unfortunately, Francesco Caputo ballooned his penalty well over the bar. Rade Krunić also saw his shot flash wide as Empoli pushed for a leveller. With 84 minutes on the clock, Roma put the game beyond doubt as Edin Dzeko showed beautiful close to weave around the Empoli defence before smashing the ball into the roof of the net. 

The result puts Roma into third place in the Serie A standings.